Medical students end up owing the government about $140,000 in fees upon graduation. This may necessitate their seeking lucrative specialities such as cardiology, urology, orthopaedic so that they can easily pay off their government loan in time. Orthopaedic surgeons are ranked among the top paying medical careers followed by cardiologists and urologists. This then begets the question how much do orthopedic surgeons make. An orthopaedic surgeon makes an average annual income of $351,834. Depending on other factors such as overtime payment, part-time shifts, consultations and other benefits, this makes an orthopaedic surgeon earn a whopping $519,000 the highest among medical practitioners without including bonuses and other benefits.
Orthopaedic surgeons have similar training programs hence they can work anywhere in the world. However, this is dependent on the variations of salary payment across the world due to economic growth levels. Orthopaedic surgeons handle diseases that affect the body�s musculoskeletal system that includes joints, ligaments, tendons, bones,� muscles, and nerves, that enables one to be active, move and work. Orthopaedic surgeons must complete a four-year degree, after which be enrolled in a medical school and four to five years of residency in a hospital. This makes them be entitled to the following benefits
- Due to the stringent education and certification requirements, orthopaedic surgeons are highly respected in the field of medicine. After the four-year degree course, they are required to obtain a licence by doing a licencing exam after medical school and thereafter obtain certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, which is recertified after every seven to ten years. This enables them to gain status among other medical professions and higher pay package as well. Other factors that contribute to the pay package include the stress level of the work and its importance in health care.
- Orthopaedic surgeons specialize in areas of primary interest and are entitled to work a minimum of 50 hours per week. Specialization areas include focusing on parts of the body such as the spine, legs, back, hands and a category of patients such as children, or ageing This enables them to get more consultation opportunities that make them earn higher pay.
- Orthopaedic surgeons are entitled to a four-week vacation, four-week sick leave, which enables them to get refreshed to handle the work pressure.
- Orthopaedic surgeons do not necessarily have to work in a hospital. They have a variety of other places to offer their services for an instant being an athlete or a team physician. This makes their job competitive and the majority of them decide to take more consultative jobs rather than be employed.
- Orthopaedic surgeons have a flexible work schedule. They are expected to work long hours if employed in a hospital on a shift. Those working in an outpatient centre will have more office hours such that they set aside for consultation and surgery days. Orthopaedics may also work irregular hours, especially when on call.
- Orthopaedic surgeons travel a lot, making presentations at national and international conferences